TRADE: Erik Johnson Headed to Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers have moved quickly to replace the hole on their blueline after they traded Sean Walker this week, today adding veteran Erik Johnson in a deal from the Buffalo Sabres.

Details:
To #Flyers: D Erik Johnson
To #Sabres: 2024 4th Rd Pick@DailyFaceoff

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 8, 2024

The Flyers send a fourth round pick in this year‘s draft to Buffalo in return. Despite sending out Walker, the Flyers still hold down a playoff spot, and intend to stay there, by reinforcing the D with this move.

Calls for the 35-year-old Johnson starting ramping up earlier this week, as teams were seeking to add a veteran, leadership, defensive presence to their bluelines heading into the playoffs. 

Johnson, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft, has 16 years of experience, and a Stanley Cup under his belt from his time with the 2022 Colorado Avalanche. He played a big part in that playoff run with a robust plus/minus rating of +10 in 20 games, while playing over 17 minutes a night. 

This season with the Sabres, he was brought in on a $3.25 million contract to add some veteran savvy and leadership, and did so, and now nets Buffalo a 4th-rounder. He will return to unrestricted free agency after the season, if, at the age of 36, he chooses to continue his career. 

He'll serve as a bottom-pairing D-man for Philly, as he's been playing less than 14 minutes a night in Buffalo this season, and has three points in 50 games. 

Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports